Austrian Airlines Extends China Flight Ban as Coronavirus Toll Climbs

Lifestyle & Travel › Travel ♦ Published: February 16, 2020; 19:12 ♦ (Vindobona)

AUA Austrian Airlines extends its flight suspensions to mainland China (Beijing and Shanghai) until the end of the winter flight schedule on 28 March 2020. Most recently the flights had been suspended until 29 February.

Austrian Airlines: Flights to Beijing and Shanghai suspended until February 29, 2020. / Picture: © Wikimedia Commons / Austrian Airlines from Austria [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

The Lufthansa Group has decided to suspend its Austrian Airlines (AUA), Lufthansa and Swiss flights to/from Beijing and Shanghai until the end of the winter flight schedule on 28 March 2020.

Most recently the flights had been suspended until 29 February. Initially the flights had been suspended until February 9.

Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao will also not be served until the end of the winter timetable on March 28, 2020.

Flight operations to/from Hong Kong will continue as planned.

In a press release the Lufthansa Group states: "The safety of passengers and employees is a top priority for the Lufthansa Group. After thoroughly evaluating all currently available information on the corona virus, Lufthansa Group has decided to suspend its Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines flights to/from Beijing and Shanghai with immediate effect. The Lufthansa Group will continuously monitor the situation of the corona virus and is in contact with the responsible authorities."

Passengers whose Austrian Airlines (AUA) flights have been cancelled can rebook free of charge or receive a refund of their ticket price. This applies to passengers with a ticket issued by Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa or SWISS and flights with an LH, LX or OS flight number. In order to rebook, you may contact your respective travel agency, our call center or rebook online via Austrian Airlines "My Bookings".

Form for refund of your ticket

Entry restrictions for various countries due to the Corona Virus outbreak

Currently many countries are putting entry restrictions into place for passengers who have been in China within the last couple of weeks. This might also apply for passengers with People’s Republic of China passports.

Entry restrictions are not aligned and differ from country to country. Some also include Hong Kong.

About Lufthansa Group and Austrian Airlines (AUA)

The Lufthansa Group offers a total of 54 regular weekly connections from Austria, Germany and Switzerland to the Chinese mainland.

Lufthansa Group destinations are Nanjing, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Qingdao. Austrian Airlines and Swiss only fly to Beijing and Shanghai while Lufthansa also flies to Nangjing, Shenyang and Qingdao.